N.H. ranked 3rd healthiest in country in report

CONCORD (AP) — New Hampshire has received a high health ranking in a national report.

It's ranked third in the country by the Trust for America's Health. Last year, the state ranked second and was third in 2010.

The report says some of New Hampshire's strengths are a low sedentary lifestyle rate, a low incidence of infectious disease and a low rate of children in poverty. The state also seen a decline in the infant mortality rate, from 8.4 deaths per 1,000 births in 1990 to 4.4 in 2012. There's also been a decrease in the number of smokers.

One health indicator in which the state hasn't improved is obesity. The number of people in New Hampshire who are overweight or obese has been climbing dramatically since 1990.

The report looks at a wide range of indicators, including cardiovascular disease, deaths, preventable hospitalizations, immunization coverage and air pollution levels. The scores are then calculated to determine an overall ranking.

"We are lucky to be living in such a healthy state," said Dr. Jose Montero, public health director of the state's Department of Health and Human Services. "But there is more work to be done. Our obesity rate continues to climb and we can do better on our cancer and diabetes rates."